Mastering the 808 Glide in Logic Pro X

If you’re a music producer looking to create those smooth and iconic 808 glides in your Logic Pro X tracks, then you’ve come to the right place. The sound of a sliding 808 bass is popular in many modern music genres, from hip-hop and trap to electronic dance music. Luckily, creating this effect in Logic Pro X isn’t that complicated, and in this article, we’ll walk you through the steps.

Before we get started, it’s worth noting that the 808 glide effect is created by playing two notes with a bass sound and then sliding from the first pitch to the second. The result is a sound that slides seamlessly up or down the pitch scale, creating a distinctive and immersive sound that instantly grabs the listener’s attention. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the steps you can follow to create 808 glide in Logic Pro X.

Section: How to Make 808 Glide in Logic Pro X

If you’re a producer who’s into trap beats, then you’re probably already familiar with the iconic 808 bass sound. One of the characteristic features of trap music is the 808 glide effect. The glide effect allows for smooth pitch transitions between notes on your 808 bassline. In this section, we’ll be discussing how to create a 808 glide effect in Logic Pro X.

1. Setting up your project
Before you start creating your 808 glide effect, you’ll need to set up your project. Typically, you want to work in the key of your overall track. Having a consistent harmonic foundation is important for creating a cohesive and melodically pleasing track.

2. Choosing the right 808 sample
To create an 808 glide effect, you’ll need to use a sample that already has a glide effect built-in. Look for samples with names like “glide,” “sliding,” or “pitch bend.” These samples have a pitch bend controller already programmed into the sample, making it easy for you to create that iconic 808 glide effect.

3. Enabling pitch bend
Pitch bend is essential for creating a glide effect. In Logic Pro X, you can enable pitch bend by going to the “MIDI” menu and selecting “Pitch Bend.” Make sure to set the “Pitch Range” to 12 semitones. This range allows for maximum pitch variation.

4. Creating a MIDI region
Once you’ve chosen your 808 sample and enabled pitch bend, it’s time to create a MIDI region. You can do this by using the MIDI editor or simple click and drag your selected 808 sample from the library straight to your track.

5. Drawing in the pitch bend
To create the 808 glide effect, you’ll need to draw in the pitch bend in the MIDI editor. Click on the “Pitch Bend” button on the left-hand side of the editor and draw in the pitch curve where you want the glide effect. The pitch bend effect usually starts at the beginning of the note and ends just before the start of the next note.

6. Adjusting the pitch bend
You can adjust the pitch bend of your 808 sample by clicking on the curve you’ve just drawn in and dragging it up or down to increase or decrease the pitch variation. You can also adjust the pitch bend by double-clicking on the piano roll and manually adjusting the pitch bend value.

7. Determining the length of the glide
The length of the glide effect is significant. A shorter glide effect creates a more punchy and staccato sound, while a longer glide effect creates a more smooth and legato sound. The length of the glide depends on the tempo of your track, the overall rhythm, and the feel you want to achieve.

8. Adding variation to the glide
To add variation to the glide, you can play around with different shapes of pitch bend curves. Varying the length of the curve or the steepness of the bend creates a more unique and interesting sound.

9. Layering your 808 samples
To create an even fuller sound, you can layer your 808 samples. This layering technique works well when you want to create a more complex and dynamic 808 bassline.

10. Playing around with other effects
Finally, you can add other effects such as distortion, EQ, or filtering to your 808 glide for even more variation and texture. Remember to experiment with different combinations of effects to create a unique sound that complements your overall track.

In conclusion, the 808 glide effect is essential in creating that classic trap sound. By following these steps, you’ll be able to create a smooth and punchy 808 glide effect in Logic Pro X. Remember to experiment with different variations to create a unique sound that complements your overall track.

Setting Up Your Track in Logic Pro X for the 808 Glide

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of making the 808 glide in Logic Pro X, let’s make sure your track is setup correctly. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Create a new software instrument track

The first step is to create a new software instrument track in your project. To do this, go to the main menu and select Track → New Track → Software Instrument.

2. Select the ES2 synthesizer

Next, select the ES2 synthesizer as your instrument. The ES2 is a popular choice for making 808 glide as it has a lot of flexibility and can produce a wide range of sounds.

3. Choose your 808 sound

Now it’s time to choose your 808 sound. There are many options available to you, so select the one that best suits the vibe of your track.

4. Set the Glide for your 808

Your 808 glide needs to have a specific setting for it to work properly. This setting is called “portamento” and it tells the synthesizer how long to take to glide from one note to the next. To set the portamento, go to the ES2’s Pitch section and adjust the “Glide” parameter to your desired amount.

5. Adjust the Attack and Release of your 808

The attack and release of your 808 can have a big impact on the way the glide sounds. Adjust these parameters to your liking by going to the ES2’s Amp section and adjusting the “Attack” and “Release” parameters.

6. Add Effects to your 808

You can add effects to your 808 to enhance the glide effect. Some popular effects include reverb and delay. To add effects, go to Logic Pro X’s Mixer and add the desired effects to your 808 track.

7. Use Automation to Control the Glide

If you want even more control over the glide effect, you can use automation. By automating the portamento or other parameters of your 808, you can create subtle or dramatic changes in the glide effect over time.

8. Experiment with Different Glide Settings

One of the best things about making 808 glide in Logic Pro X is that there are so many ways to experiment with the settings. Try adjusting the portamento time, attack, release and other parameters to find the glide that works best for your track.

9. Layer Multiple 808 Sounds

An effective technique for making your 808 glide even more powerful is to layer multiple 808 sounds together. Experiment with different sounds and find the combination that works best for your track.

10. Practice, Practice, Practice

Making 808 glide in Logic Pro X takes a bit of practice and experimentation, but don’t get discouraged. Keep practicing and trying new ideas until you find the perfect glide for your track.

Section 3: Applying the Glide Effect on the 808

Now that we have learned about the basics of 808s and the importance of the glide effect, it’s time to apply it in Logic Pro X.

Step 1: Draw a MIDI Sequence

The first step in applying the glide effect is to create a MIDI sequence of the bassline in the piano roll. Make sure to draw the notes of the 808 as legato as possible by overlapping them slightly. This will help to create a smooth glide effect. You can also lengthen the notes to extend the duration of the glide effect.

Step 2: Enable Glide in the EXS24 Sampler

After creating the MIDI sequence, it’s time to enable the glide effect in the EXS24 sampler. Go to the instrument’s settings and select the Pitch tab. Then turn on the MonoGlide button and set the time to your desired duration. The shorter the duration, the faster the glide effect.

Step 3: Adjust Glide Settings for Customization

The EXS24 sampler provides more glide effect settings for customization. You can adjust the Glide Mode to either Legato or Retrigger. Legato mode will trigger the glide effect only when the next note overlaps the previous note, while Retrigger mode will apply it on every new note.

You can also adjust the Glide Curve to Linear, Logarithmic, or Exponential. Linear will create a straight glide effect, logarithmic will create a subtle curve, while exponential will create a pronounced curve.

Step 4: Experiment with Automation

Automating the glide effect can help to add more variation and interest to the bassline. You can automate the Glide Time to gradually increase or decrease the duration of the glide effect. You can also automate the Glide Mode and Glide Curve settings to add even more variation.

Step 5: Add Other Effects and Processors

Adding other effects and processors can further enhance the sound of the 808. You can add distortion, saturation, and EQ to shape the tone and bring out the character of the bassline. You can also use compression to add more punch and sustain.

In conclusion, applying the glide effect in Logic Pro X is essential to making your 808s sound professional and dynamic. By following these steps and experimenting with different settings, you can create a unique and powerful bassline that will stand out in your productions.

Happy Gliding!

Now that you know how to make 808 glide in Logic Pro X, it’s time to flex your music-producing skills! Remember to practice, experiment and never stop learning. I hope this guide has been helpful in your music production journey. Thanks for reading and see you soon with more exciting articles!